Lucas Perri set for even longer out of Leeds United side after events at Craven Cottage
Leeds United were on the receiving end of a late suckerpunch as a Gabriel Gudmundsson own goal in the dying moments earned Fulham a 1-0 win on Saturday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin came under criticism as Daniel Farke’s forward line failed, for the fourth consecutive Premier League game, to score a goal from open play.
Brenden Aaronson was also poor, with the American being deployed on the right wing in a decision by Farke which is totally inexcusable.
However, Karl Darlow was one of those players who did impress, with the Wales international proving he is capable of keeping Lucas Perri out of the Leeds side.
Karl Darlow’s performance vs Fulham gives Daniel Farke a decision to make
With Perri missing the game through injury, Darlow was the shot stopper used to replace him – and not Illan Meslier, who was on the bench.
The 34-year-old became the Whites’ number one at the backend of last season as they won the Championship title, but ultimately the 49ers decided they needed a new keeper for the Premier League.
After arriving from Lyon with a big reputation, Perri was expected to be the goalkeeper Farke would rely on in the Premier League, but Darlow’s performance against Fulham may have thrown a potential spanner in the works when Perri returns from injury.
- Darlow made an exceptional save to prevent Harry Wilson from scoring a free-kick
- He also made an acrobatic save to deny Kevin in the 94th minute
- This save was ultimately made in vain, as Gudmundsson would score an own goal from the resulting corner
With Perri looking shaky against Arsenal, Darlow could prove to Farke that he should have stuck with him to be his man in goal.
Karl Darlow has one more chance to prove he should start
Given the extent of Perri’s injury, the Brazilian is also set to miss the Whites’ trip to play Wolves next week.
This is good news for Darlow, who will be hoping to follow up on his excellent performance against Fulham with a clean sheet that he was so cruelly robbed of on Saturday.
The Welshman pulled off some fantastic saves during Leeds’ game in the capital and even looked more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Perri.
If Darlow performs similarly against Wolves, then he will have more than earned the right to keep his place in the starting XI moving forward.
Perri, even if he did join to be number one, will then have to wait longer for his return to the side.
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